Export Production Research Articles

Dynamic interactions among exchange rate, natural gas demand, production in manufacturing and battery industry export – evidence from Hungary

In the context of the current global economic transformation, the rapid rise of the electric vehicle industry has made the battery industry a new focus of competition among countries. Despite its relatively small economic and demographic size, Hungary has garnered significant academic interest by emerging as the world’s third-largest battery producer in 2021. The study employed a dynamic vector autoregressive (VAR) model to determine that fluctuations in the Hungarian exchange rate have a notable immediate influ-ence on exports in the battery business，which suggests that changes in exc-hange rates directly affect international competitiveness. The battery sector is experiencing a progressive increase in the influence of fluctuations in na-tural gas demand, particularly in terms of their impact on production costs and supply chains. The battery industry has had substantial advancements in technological innovation and production efficiency as a direct result of the expansion in manufacturing production. And Hungary’s total industrial deve-lopment is significantly influenced by the long-term effects of export expan-sion in the battery industry. JEL Codes: L62, E44, O14, C22

Green Manufacturing and Performances in Apparel Export Industry: Mediating Role of Green Innovation

Implementing green manufacturing in the production process of garment export-oriented enterprises not only contributes to environmental well-being but also enhances competitiveness in the global market and boosts overall company performance. Furthermore, it is critical to take immediate action to improve sustainable production levels via green innovation. This study aims to investigate the impact of green manufacturing on operational performance, environmental performance, and economic performance in the apparel manufacturing export industry. The study also investigates the mediating role of green innovation as a mediator between the green manufacturing and types of performances. A survey method is used to collect data from 123 garment export units, and structural equation modelling (SEM) is used to analyze the results. This study delivers empirical evidence of the impact of the implementation of green manufacturing on green innovation and economic performance. Moreover, green innovation has a significant impact on economic performance and environmental performance. The results signify that green innovation partially mediates green manufacturing and economic performance. Green innovation fully mediates green manufacturing and environmental performance, and also green manufacturing and operational performance. This study is unique in its focus on the use of green manufacturing and green innovation in garment export production units. It provides insights into how these green practices might improve firm performance and the environment.

Hidden comet tails of marine snow impede ocean-based carbon sequestration.

Gravity-driven sinking of "marine snow" sequesters carbon in the ocean, constituting a key biological pump that regulates Earth's climate. A mechanistic understanding of this phenomenon is obscured by the biological richness of these aggregates and a lack of direct observation of their sedimentation physics. Utilizing a scale-free vertical tracking microscopy in a field setting, we present microhydrodynamic measurements of freshly collected marine snow aggregates from sediment traps. Our observations reveal hitherto-unknown comet-like morphology arising from fluid-structure interactions of transparent exopolymer halos around sinking aggregates. These invisible comet tails slow down individual particles, greatly increasing their residence time. Based on these findings, we constructed a reduced-order model for the Stokesian sedimentation of these mucus-embedded two-phase particles, paving the way toward a predictive understanding of marine snow.

Tiny comets under the sea.

A mucus drag on sinking marine snow may have big biogeochemical implications.

Модели цепей поставок и их классификация

The article discusses various models of supply chains of goods. The classification and models of supply chains are considered. The basic concepts and elements of supply chain management are revealed. The theoretical basis of the article is research conducted in such fields of knowledge as logistics and supply chain management. Logistics supply chains are an important element in the activities of any company. They include the planning, production and management of goods, services and information from the point of origin to the point of consumption. Supply chains coordinate complex patterns of movement and transportation, shipment and receipt, import and export operations, warehousing, inventory management, procurement, production planning and customer service.

INTRATEST TRACE ELEMENT VARIABILITY IN POLAR AND SUBPOLAR PLANKTIC FORAMINIFERA: INSIGHTS INTO VITAL EFFECTS, ONTOGENY, AND BIOMINERALIZATION PROCESSES

ABSTRACT To use planktic foraminiferal tests as paleoproxy substrates, it is necessary to delineate environmental versus biological controls on trace element incorporation. Here we utilize laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to explore interspecies, chamber-to-chamber, and intratest trace element (i.e., Mg, Na, Sr, Ba, Mn, Zn) variability in thickly-calcified specimens of the polar and subpolar planktic foraminifera Neogloboquadrina incompta, N. pachyderma, and Turborotalita quinqueloba collected from plankton tows in the Northern California Current. Among the study taxa, test Mg/Ca, Na/Ca, and Sr/Ca are likely dominantly controlled by depth habitat. The neogloboquadrinids record higher Ba/Ca and Mn/Ca and also show positive covariance between these elements, possibly due to calcifying in an oxygen-depleted marine snow microhabitat. Trace elements are found to be more enriched in the lamellar calcite than the outer chamber wall dominated by gametogenic crust. The data presented herein provide insight into potential vital effects, paleoproxy considerations, ontogeny, and biomineralization processes.

Comparing microbial communities in mucilage and seawater samples: Metagenomic insights into mucilage formation in the Marmara Sea.

Marine environments are subject to various naturally occurring phenomena, including marine snow and mucilage. In 2021, the rapid emergence of mucilage in the Marmara Sea raised concerns about its environmental impact. This study investigates the microbial communities in mucilage and seawater samples from the Marmara Sea using metagenomic-scale comparative analyses. The results indicate significant differences in microbial composition and diversity, with mucilage samples showing higher levels of polysaccharide biosynthesis-related enzymes. Over 50% of reads in mucilage samples remained unclassified (dark matter), highlighting unknown microbial taxa. Clean seawater was characterized by a higher presence of Euryarchaeota, Proteobacteria, and Rhodothermaeota, while Chlamydiae and Fusobacteria were dominant in mucilage. The study underscores the necessity for comprehensive metagenomic analyses to understand microbial roles in mucilage formation and persistence. Early detection of microbial shifts could serve as a warning system for mucilage outbreaks, aiding in the development of management strategies.

SCREENING OF RICE GERMPLASM AGAINST DROUGHT STRESS USING MORPHOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

Oryza sativa L. is a staple diet for billions of people in the world. Different rice varieties' drought stress responses and their effects on both qualitative and quantitative variables. Rice is the second main exportable product of Pakistan and the agriculture sector has shown remarkable growth, with the crop sector posting a growth of 6.58% in Fiscal year 2022. Drought have a bad effect on the vegetative and reproductive stages of crops. Drought stress can reduce crop yield production. The RCBD design, two-way ANOVA factorial analysis, Tukey test, Genetic advance and Heritability were used for this experiment. This study specifically focuses on the response of rice genotypes to drought stress and its effect on morphological parameters such as plant height, panicle length, stem diameter, flag leaf length and width, number of panicles per plant, and 1000-grain weight. Drought tolerance genotypes were screened out and used to the standard Index of IRRI to identify morphological processing in Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku, Pakistan. Total 35 rice genotypes were sown under drought stress with checked variety. Six varieties perform better production under drought stress conditions. These varieties like Pokkoli, Vehari, Nonabokra, Kalomonk, PK10683, and Basmati 375 show better perform under drought stress. The findings of this research can contribute to the development of drought-tolerant rice varieties and enhance food security in drought-prone areas. The importance of qualitative parameters, such as panicle curvature and awning, is also explored, with potential implications for the visual appearance and market preferences of rice grains. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the genetic basis and potential breeding strategies for improving drought tolerance in rice.

Microplastics may reduce the efficiency of the biological carbon pump by decreasing the settling velocity and carbon content of marine snow

AbstractPlastics are pervasive in marine ecosystems and ubiquitous in both shallow and deep oceans. Microfibers, among other microplastics, accumulate in deep‐sea sediments at concentrations up to four orders of magnitude higher than in surface waters. This is at odds with the fact that most microfibers are positively buoyant; therefore, it is hypothesized that settling aggregates are vectors for the downward transport of microfibers in the ocean. However, little is known about the impact of microfibers on carbon export. We formed diatom aggregates with differing concentrations of microfibers using roller tanks and observed that microfiber addition stimulated aggregate formation, but decreased their structural cohesion and caused them to break apart more readily, resulting in smaller average sizes. The incorporation of positively buoyant microfibers into settling aggregates reduced their size‐specific sinking velocities proportional to the microfiber concentration. Slower sinking may extend aggregate retention time in the upper ocean, thereby increasing the time available for organic matter remineralization in the upper water column. Here, we show that at concentrations of 105 microfibers per cubic meter, microfiber incorporation into settling marine aggregates decreases potential export flux by 8–45%. Microfibers accumulating at such high concentrations, for example, in Arctic sea ice, may, therefore, be substantially reducing the efficiency of the biological carbon pump relative to the pre‐plastic era.

Oil uptake via marine snow: Effects on blue mussels (Mytilus sp.)

Accidental oil spills into the ocean can lead to downward transport and settling of oil onto the seafloor as part of marine snow, as seen during the Deepwater Horizon incident in 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico. The arctic and subarctic regions may favor conditions leading to this benthic oil deposition, prompting questions about the potential impacts on benthic communities. This study investigated the effects of oil-contaminated marine snow uptake on the blue mussel (Mytilus sp.). We exposed mussels for four days to 1) oil-contaminated marine snow (MOS treatment), or to 2) chemically-enhanced water-accommodated fraction (CEWAF) of oil plus unaggregated food particles (CEWAF treatment). Both oil treatments received the same nominal concentration of oil and food. Two controls were included: 1) Clean seawater plus unaggregated food (agg-free control) and 2) clean seawater plus marine snow (marine snow control). After the exposure, mussels were allowed to recover for ten days under clean, running seawater. Samples were taken right before and after the exposure period, and after the recovery phase for the following endpoints: distribution (partitioning) of oil compounds between seawater and MOS, and between seawater and mussel tissue; DNA damage (assessed via the comet assay); clearance rate; and condition index [tissue dry weight (g) divided by shell length (mm)]. Some discernable patterns were found in the partitioning of oil compounds between seawater and MOS. However, these patterns did not translate to any significant differences in the partitioning of oil compounds into mussel tissue between the two oil treatments. DNA damage did not exceed background levels (10% tail DNA or less; to be expected in healthy, viable cells) at any sampling time point, but significantly higher DNA damage was observed in CEWAF-T compared to MOS-T mussels after the recovery phase. After the exposure, a significant difference emerged in the clearance rate between the CEWAF treatment and the agg-free control, but not between the MOS treatment and the marine snow control. All mussels except those from the CEWAF treatment exhibited an increased condition index after the exposure time. Together, these results suggest that aggregates could moderate the effects of oil exposure on blue mussels, possibly by providing better, more concentrated nutrition than unaggregated food particles.

Eddy-driven diazotroph distribution in the subtropical North Atlantic: horizontal variability prevails over particle sinking speed

Mesoscale eddies influence the distribution of diazotrophic (nitrogen-fixing) cyanobacteria, impacting marine productivity and carbon export. Non-cyanobacterial diazotrophs (NCDs) are emerging as potential contributors to marine nitrogen fixation, relying on organic matter particles for resources, impacting nitrogen and carbon cycling. However, their diversity and biogeochemical importance remain poorly understood. In the subtropical North Atlantic along a single transect, this study explored the horizontal and vertical spatial variability of NCDs associated with suspended, slow-sinking, and fast-sinking particles collected with a marine snow catcher. The investigation combined amplicon sequencing with hydrographic and biogeochemical data. Cyanobacterial diazotrophs and NCDs were equally abundant, and their diversity was explained by the structure of the eddy. The unicellular symbiotic cyanobacterium UCYN-A was widespread across the eddy, whereas Trichodesmium and Crocosphaera accumulated at outer fronts. The diversity of particle-associated NCDs varied more horizontally than vertically. NCDs constituted most reads in the fast-sinking fractions, mainly comprising Alphaproteobacteria, whose abundance significantly differed from the suspended and slow-sinking fractions. Horizontally, Gammaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria exhibited inverse distributions, influenced by physicochemical characteristics of water intrusions at the eddy periphery. Niche differentiations across the anticyclonic eddy underscored NCD-particle associations and mesoscale dynamics, deepening our understanding of their ecological role and impact on ocean biogeochemistry.

Modelling Alternative Economic Incentive Schemes for Semi-Natural Grassland Conservation in Estonia

Semi-natural grasslands (SNGLs) in Estonia are threatened by abandonment. This threat is leading to concerns about the degradation of biodiversity within grassland communities. Despite the high relevance of economic incentives in this context, how such incentives influence land managers’ decision-making regarding the agricultural use of SNGLs has not been investigated. To obtain its socio-ecological implications for policy-making, we developed regionally specific agricultural scenarios (compensation payments, livestock capacity, hey export, and bioenergy production) and an interdisciplinary modelling approach that made it possible to simulate agricultural land use changes through land managers' responses to varied economic conditions. Through this approach, we found that some economic factors hampered the use of SNGLs: the moderate profitability of beef production, labour shortages, and the relatively high profitability of mulching. We observed a positive relationship between SNGLs and habitat suitability for breeding and feeding birds. However, due to the high maintenance costs of SNGLs, the modelling results indicated that increasing the use of SNGLs through public budgets caused crowding-out effects, i.e., the deteriorating market integration of regional agriculture. This study emphasises the need for policy measures aimed at cost-effective, labour-efficient management practices for SNGLs.

Impacts of the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO, ∼53‐49 Ma) on Planktic Foraminiferal Resilience

Plain Language SummaryThe Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO) is an interval of prolonged warmth that occurred ∼53 to 49 million years ago. Planktic foraminifera are important (alongside coccolithophores) for understanding the carbon cycle and determining export production in the ocean. To understand how foraminifera can be impacted by extreme heat, we analyzed samples from the Pacific Ocean through measuring changes in (a) the relative abundance, that is, the count of different taxa in a sample, and (b) body (shell) size of planktic foraminifera. At the start of the EECO, the abundance of the genera Morozovella and Chiloguembelina decreased. Despite this decline, the number of foraminifera being buried and the size of the largest shells in a sample does not change. We attribute this to the increased abundance of the genus Acarinina. In general, the accumulation of foraminifera remains stable while the relative abundance of foraminifera to coccolithophores decreases. Together, this implies that coccolithophores are increasing in abundance, and/or mass. During the EECO, one group of foraminifera was able to counterbalance the decrease in abundance of other genera. This highlights the resilience of open‐ocean carbonate production and the base of the marine food web.

Impact of aggregate‐colonizing copepods on the biological carbon pump in a high‐latitude fjord

AbstractZooplankton consumption of sinking aggregates affects the quality and quantity of organic carbon exported to the deep ocean. Increasing laboratory evidence shows that small particle‐associated copepods impact the flux attenuation by feeding on sinking particles, but this has not been quantified in situ. We investigated the impact of an abundant particle‐colonizing copepod, Microsetella norvegica, on the attenuation of the vertical carbon flux in a sub‐Arctic fjord. This study combines field measurements of vertical carbon flux, abundance, and size‐distribution of marine snow and degradation rates of fecal pellets and algal aggregates. Female M. norvegica altered their feeding behavior when exposed to aggregates, and ingestion rates were 0.20 μg C ind.−1 d−1 on marine snow and 0.11 μg C ind.−1 d−1 on intact krill fecal pellets, corresponding to 48% and 26% of the females' body carbon mass. Due to high sea surface abundance of up to ~ 50 ind. L−1, the population of M. norvegica had the potential to account for almost all the carbon removal in the upper 50 m of the water column, depending on the type of the aggregate. Our observations highlight the potential importance of abundant small‐sized copepods for biogeochemical cycles through their impact on export flux and its attenuation in the twilight zone.

Assessing trade supply chain vulnerability and trade participation of SMEs in India: insights from a comprehensive analysis

PurposeThis study presents the impact of Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU)-induced Trade Supply Chain Vulnerability (TSCV) on the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in India by leveraging the World Bank Enterprise Survey data for 2014 and 2022. Applying econometric techniques, it examines firm size’ influence on productivity and trade participation, providing insights for enhancing SME resilience and trade participation amid uncertainty.Design/methodology/approachThe econometric techniques focus on export participation, along with variables such as total exports, firm size, productivity, and capital intensity. It addresses crucial factors such as the direct import of intermediate goods and foreign ownership. Utilizing the Cobb-Douglas production function, the study estimates Total Factor Productivity, mitigating endogeneity and multicollinearity through a two-stage process. Besides, the study uses a case study of North Indian SMEs engaged in manufacturing activities and their adoption of mitigation strategies to combat unprecedented EPU.FindingsResults reveal that EPU-induced TSCV reduces exports, impacting employment and firm size. Increased productivity, driven by technological adoption, correlates with improved export performance. The study highlights the negative impact of TSCV on trade participation, particularly for smaller Indian firms. Moreover, SMEs implement cost-based, supplier-based, and inventory-based strategies more than technology-based and risk-based strategies.Practical implicationsPolicy recommendations include promoting increased imports and inward foreign direct investment to enhance small firms’ trade integration during economic uncertainty. Tailored support for smaller firms, considering their limited capacity, is crucial. Encouraging small firms to engage in international trade and adopting diverse SC mitigation strategies associated with policy uncertainty are vital considerations.Originality/valueThis study explores the impact of EPU-induced TSCV on Indian SMEs’ trade dynamics, offering nuanced insights for policymakers to enhance SME resilience amid uncertainty. The econometric analysis unveils patterns in export behavior, productivity, and factors influencing trade participation during economic uncertainty.

Resolving abrupt frontal gradients in zooplankton community composition and marine snow fields with an autonomous Zooglider

AbstractAn autonomous Zooglider navigated across the California Current Front into low salinity, minty waters characteristic of the California Current proper in both summers of 2019 and 2021. Diving to 400 m depth, Zooglider transited another near‐surface frontal gradient somewhat inshore. These frontal gradients were generally associated with changes in intensity, size composition, and Diel Vertical Migration responses of acoustic backscatterers. They were also associated with pronounced changes in zooplankton community composition, as assessed by a shadowgraph imaging Zoocam. Zoocam detected a decline in concentrations of copepods, appendicularians, and marine snow in the offshore direction, and an overall shift in community structure to a higher proportion of carnivorous taxa (and, in 2019, of planktonic rhizaria). No taxon was consistently elevated at all the peak frontal gradients, but appendicularians, copepods, and rhizarians sometimes showed front‐related increases in concentration. Such frontal gradient regions represent relatively abrupt transitions to different communities of planktonic organisms and suspended marine snow particles, with consequences for predator–prey relationships and the dominant vectors of particle export into subsurface waters.

Role of phytoplankton composition on exudation of dissolved organic carbon in the Bay of Bengal

Phytoplankton in the marine environment exudates part of the primary production as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) into the surrounding waters. The rate of exudation of DOC is depended on the hydrographic condition, nutrient availability, phytoplankton composition, and their size structure. To examine this, samples were collected from the coastal and offshore regions where different hydrographic conditions exists in the Bay of Bengal. The coastal waters were relatively low saline, rich in inorganic nutrients, high phytoplankton biomass (Chl-a) and primary production in the coastal compared to offshore regions. The photic zone integrated Chl-a displayed insignificant difference between coastal and offshore regions whereas higher photic zone integrated primary production was observed in the former than latter region. Dominance of microplankton was observed in the coastal waters associating with high inorganic nitrogen concentrations, in contrast, picoplankton dominated in the offshore region associating with low inorganic nitrogen but high organic nitrogen concentrations. Due to high surface-to-volume ratio of picoplankton, ∼45% of the primary production exudated as DOC in the offshore compared to the coastal region (∼12%) due to dominance of microplankton. The sum of primary production and DOC exudation, called total primary production, was almost equal in the coastal and offshore regions. The mean phytoplankton biomass normalized primary production (pB) in the Bay of Bengal was low (17 ± 8 mgC mgChl-a−1 d−1) compared to Arabian Sea (37 ± 5 mgC mgChl-a−1 d−1). In contrast pB estimated based on total primary production is close (30 ± 16 mgC mgChla−1 d−1) to that of the Arabian Sea (37 ± 5 mgC mgChl-a−1 d−1) suggesting that the Bay of Bengal is equally productive compared to that of Arabian Sea than hitherto hypothesized due to strong stratification and less nutrients input in the former basin. The low sinking carbon flux observed below the photic zone is attributed to the release of primary production as DOC. The released DOC from the phytoplankton may support heterotrophic activity as evidenced by the existence of strong net heterotrophy in the Bay of Bengal. This may lead to the time lag between primary and export productions. None of these processes were incorporated into the numerical models resulting in inaccurate simulations of carbon cycling in the northern Indian Ocean. Modifications in the models by incorporating these processes may improve model simulations for a better understanding the modifications in biogeochemical processes due to climate change in the Bay of Bengal.

Analysis of the Impact of Export Duty Policy, Total Production of Cocoa Beans, and Imports of Cocoa Beans on Cocoa Butter Exports in Indonesia

The purpose of this research is to analyze the influence of export duty policies, the amount of cocoa bean production and imports of cocoa beans on the volume of cocoa butter exports in the short and long term. This research uses a descriptive approach with quantitative methods, the focus is testing theories using number-based analysis and statistical analysis. The data used is a time series from 1993 to 2022. In this research, the model used is the Error Correction Model (ECM). The ECM method aims to identify the influence of independent variables on the dependent variable in both the short and long term by focusing on the variables of cocoa butter exports, export duty policies, production quantities and imports of cocoa beans. The analytical tool in this research uses Eviews-12. The conclusion of this research is as follows: Export duty policy (dummy variable) in the long term has a significant positive effect on coca butter exports. The amount of cocoa bean production does not have a significant impact on cocoa butter exports, both in the long and short term. The volume of cocoa bean imports has a significant impact on cocoa butter exports, both in the long and short term.

First lacustrine application of the diatom‐bound nitrogen isotope paleo‐proxy reveals coupling of denitrification and N2 fixation in a hyper‐eutrophic lake

AbstractPast changes in the input/output, and internal cycling, of bioavailable nitrogen (N) in marine and lacustrine environments can be reconstructed by analyzing the N isotopic composition (δ15N) of organic matter in the sedimentary record. To verify, and eliminate, potential biases of bulk sedimentary δ15N (δ15Nbulk) signatures by diagenetic alteration and external N inputs, we applied, for the first time, the diatom‐bound N isotope (δ15Ndb) paleo‐proxy to lake sediments. By comparing δ15Nbulk and δ15Ndb in a sedimentary record from eutrophic Lake Lugano (Switzerland), we demonstrate that changing redox conditions influence the degree of N‐isotopic alteration of the bulk sediment, emphasizing the need for caution when interpreting δ15Nbulk in paleolimnological studies. Furthermore, in combining δ15Ndb measurements with X‐ray fluorescence scanning and state‐of‐the‐art molecular biomarker analyses, we reconstruct nutrient cycling and paleoenvironmental conditions in the lake over the past ~ 125 yr. Coeval with the period of severe eutrophication in Lake Lugano in the 1960s, our proxy data indicate that export production, δ15Ndb, and the concentration of heterocyst glycolipids (a biomarker for N2‐fixing cyanobacteria) increased simultaneously. Together, these data suggest that the rise in δ15Ndb is likely the result of enhanced water‐column denitrification in response to increased phytoplankton productivity. We hypothesize that greater export production during eutrophication led to anoxic conditions in the hypolimnion as a result of enhanced organic matter remineralization, raising water‐column denitrification. Enhanced N loss and remobilization of phosphorous (P) from the sediments under anoxic conditions lowered the N : P ratio in the lake, fostering cyanobacterial N2 fixation in surface waters.

Unveiling a new oceanic anoxic event at the Norian/Rhaetian boundary (Late Triassic)

The latest Triassic was characterised by protracted biotic extinctions concluding in the End-Triassic Extinction (~ 200 Ma) and a global carbon cycle perturbation. The onset of declining diversity is closely related to reducing conditions that spread globally from upper Sevatian (uppermost Norian) to across the Norian-Rhaetian boundary, likely triggered by unusually high volcanic activity. We correlate significant organic carbon cycle perturbations to an increase of CO2 in the ocean–atmosphere system, likely outgassed by the Angayucham igneous province, the onset of which is indicated by the initiation of a rapid decline in 87Sr/86Sr and 188Os/187Os seawater values. A possible causal mechanism involves elevated CO2 levels causing global warming and accelerating chemical weathering, which increased nutrient discharge to the oceans and greatly increased biological productivity. Higher export production and oxidation of organic matter led to a global O2 decrease in marine water across the Norian/Rhaetian boundary (NRB). Biotic consequences of dysoxia/anoxia include worldwide extinctions in some fossil groups, such as bivalves, ammonoids, conodonts, radiolarians.